Independently Powered Electrical Multiple Units (IPEMU) Proof of Concept Full Business Case Merseytravel Rolling Stock Programme Document Reference: Full Business Case document Version: 1.0 Date: 08-11-2019 Page | 1 Liverpool City Region Combined Authority – Strategic Investment Fund Final Business Case for November 2019 Investment Panel Project Summary Table Name of Project Independently Powered Electrical Multiple Units (IPEMU) Proof of Concept Sponsor Merseytravel Nature of Applicant Passenger Transport Executive Economic Sector Transport Indicative Funding Sought £3.5m Indicative Funding Source/Fund Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) Location LCR Wide Call or Commission Commission Combined Authority and LEP Project Team SIF Investment Team Lead Paul Buntin Investment Team Members Sam Graham, Nick Green Legal Lead Jan Leong CA Policy Input Huw Jenkins – Lead Officer for Transport 1. Summary of Investment Team Considerations The project, at concept stage, was endorsed by the external panel in October 2019. The panel discussions focussed on three key areas which have been addressed as follows: • How the trial will work in practice: Merseytravel and Stadler, the supplier, have agreed a full delivery and monitoring plan. This will see the trial of 2 teams, running trains through the night to prove the concept and report on the benefits achieved. • External appraisal: An independent appraisal of the proposed investment has been undertaken on behalf of the CA. The appraisal deemed the business case to be proportionate and adequate. • Ensuring regulatory consent for passenger operations: Regulatory consent to operate the trial has been granted. At the end of the trial, Merseytravel will apply for consent to operate with passengers onboard. This is explored further in section 6.2 If the panel are satisfied with the above, then endorsement is sought to proceed to the CA for approval. Page | 2 2. Project Overview 2.1 Background The Merseyrail network is operated by Merseytravel under a concession contract. The network is electrified and powered by “third rail”. Third rail systems are a means of providing electric traction power to trains. They use an additional rail (called a “conductor rail”). The new rolling stock trains are compatible with third rail. Figure 2.1 Third Rail The Merseytravel Long Term Rail Strategy (LTRS) identifies several, mostly unelectrified routes, which link to the Merseyrail network. Due to Merseyrail being electrified travelling between these destinations requires passengers to change trains before they come into the Merseyrail network. The unelectrified routes would benefit from having direct Merseyrail services. To achieve this, the third rail would need to be installed along the full routes at substantial costs. These routes include for example: • Ormskirk to Preston; • Kirkby to Headbolt Lane/Skelmersdale/Wigan; and • Hunts Cross to Warrington. The concept of using battery technology, rather than third rail, on the lines has been identified as a cost effective, potential solution to extending the reach of Merseyrail trains. This technology is known as Independently Powered Electrical Multiple Units (IPEMU). 2.2 Project Description Merseytravel wish to run a trial of IPEMU to: a) test the concept of using battery power; and b) assess the suitability of the technology to deliver the LTRS ambition of extending the geographic reach of the Merseyrail trains. This is an opportunity to develop a new train fuel technology that could have major benefits for the LCR in terms of network expansion, efficiency and the potential for new rail stations. Page | 3 Merseyrail own the current fleet of rolling stock which is now 40-years-old. This rolling stock is being replaced with a modern fleet of 52 Class 777 trains which will be owned by Merseytravel. The new fleet will be introduced over the course of 2020/21 and will be both third rail and overhead line compatible. There is also an option in the rolling stock contract for up to an additional 60 units to be purchased. The additional 60 units would permit the Class 777s to be deployed on any of the network expansion routes identified in the LTRS. The new trains are lightweight (slightly over 100t) and have space in the underframe where the batteries can be fitted. The aim of the battery trial is to identify how much energy they will be able to store and how far this will allow the trains to travel. There are no current estimates on how far the battery can run, this is the purpose of the trial. When a train brakes, energy is created, and the battery technology allows this energy to be captured, stored and then used as the train accelerates. The challenge previously has been how to capture and then re-use the energy captured. This is expected to lead to a significant reduction in the trains net energy consumption. Reduced energy consumption will deliver a financial saving and a reduction in the railway’s carbon footprint. 2.3 Indicative Timescales Assuming Investment panel endorsement, the timetable is as follows: Final paper November 2019 CA approval December 2019 Grant funding agreement January 2020 Commence testing March 2020 Review outcomes of initial testing December 2020 Complete trial June 2021 3. Strategic Case 3.1 Case For Change Without using battery technology on trains to expand the current network and run new services, third rail would have to be used. This is not only costly but also not encouraged from a policy point of view. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) “considers that the weight of safety evidence creates a presumption against new-build or extended third rail being reasonably practical.” The ORR do not discount expansion or new 3rd rail infrastructure but put the onus on the duty holder to continually review and seek improvements to 3rd rail infrastructure. This would suggest that an alternative means of powering trains, such as IPEMU, on neighbouring networks would be needed but this would need to be compatible with Merseyrail trains to ensure seamless running in the future. Page | 4 3.2 Fit with Investment Strategy The project is closely aligned with the SIF Investment Strategy: • Advanced manufacturing – the project will support research in a developing technology. The development of emerging technologies can help develop future skills for the workforce who are implementing the battery trial. • Low Carbon – the trial of battery technology will aim to develop an alternative energy use to that currently used on the Merseyrail network. • Place – the project will aim to improve access to the Merseyrail network by making the need to invest in the third rail redundant. This will also reduce the cost of any new stations that are built, if all trains operating in the region are IPEMU. 3.3 Fit with Other Priorities The LCR was awarded £172m to fund innovative transport projects through the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF). The CA approved three key themes it wanted the money to deliver against. This project fits with Theme 1: Enhancing and expanding the public transport network to meet new areas of demand and Theme 3: Intervening for health and wellbeing. 3.3.1 Headbolt Lane Gateway As part of the TCF, the CA commissioned the development of a new rail station at Headbolt Lane in Knowsley. The Headbolt Lane project is being developed to outline business case and it is anticipated that this will be presented to panel late 2020. The station will offer a regular 15-minute service for the Tower Hill and Northwood areas of Kirkby. Currently, there is no station servicing the area. Figure 3.1 Location of proposed station at Headbolt Lane The line that passes through the proposed Headbolt Lane Station is single track, meaning that for the 15-minute service to be maintained a double track section would needed. A new section of 750V d.c. third rail would need to be installed to support the new double track section, which is approximately 2 miles. Merseytravel aim to complete the battery trial before Page | 5 the development of Headbolt Lane Station. If the trial is successful, then the technology can be used on trains using this section of the Northern Line. This would in turn lead to a saving of circa £10m on third rail infrastructure. 3.4 Objectives The objective of the project is to demonstrate that using IPEMU is a technically and commercially viable option to facilitate the expansion of the Merseyrail network. 3.5 Outcomes of Options Analysis Please refer to Appendix 1 for a summary of options considered. 3.6 Critical Success Factors The success of the project in achieving this objective will be measured by the following criteria: 1. Confirmation of technical feasibility 2. Determination of IPEMU range (km) 3. Unit performance (acceleration, braking etc) 4. Battery life (years) 5. Securing regulatory authority to run in passenger service 6. Savings from reduced energy consumption (£, tonnes of CO2) 3.7 Equality and Diversity and Inclusive Growth The sponsor has completed the social value questionnaire and is committed to inclusive growth and sustainability through the following measures: • All Merseytravel staff engaged in the delivery of the project earn more than the real living wage. • Stadler, who are the key supplier in this regard, have signed the Project Collaboration Agreement, which adheres to Merseytravel’s Responsible Procurement Plan. • Stadler is committed to ensuring that small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAMEs) businesses, and suppliers from other under-represented groups or demonstrating a diverse workforce composition, have fair access to supply this programme. 4. Economic Case 4.1 Appraisal Results An independent appraisal of the proposed investment has been undertaken on behalf of the CA. The appraisal deemed the business case to be proportionate and adequate. The outcomes from the trial will determine whether battery technology can be deployed as a motive force for expansion of the Merseyrail network.